Christchurch Girls' take spoils at NZCT Girls’ Cricket Cup

Posted Thursday, 8 December, 2011 in Domestic News

The last day of play saw the sun out for the first time this week at Manawaroa Park, Palmerston North. With two teams equal at the top of the table and the chance of four teams finishing on equal points, it made for an exciting finish to the national secondary school girl’s tournament.

Christchurch Girls High School came out the victors, going undefeated for the entire competition to take out the The New Zealand Community Trust Girls’ Cricket Cup

Starting the day unbeaten Christchurch Girls’ High School batted first and looked in control, with Meg Lay and Hana Mauafu batting smartly. They maintained momentum through picking up the singles and punishing the bad balls.

After two strong partnerships Christchurch Girls ended the innings at 96 for two at the end of their 20 overs.

In reply, St Hilda’s put up a good fight, staying close to the required run rate for much of the innings. Catlin Blakely (44*) batted extremely well to finish yet another innings unbeaten. Unfortunately for St Hilda’s, some tight bowling from Hana Mauafu meant they ended the match five runs shy of the total total.

It ended a wonderful week for Christchurch Girls’, who finished the tournament unbeaten and took out the title.

Palmerston North Girls’ High School v Hillcrest High School

Palmerston North Girls’ High School 22 all out (H. Arndt 4-2) LOST TO Hillcrest High School 23/4

Hillcrest bowled first on a green wicket with Hayley Brown getting instant success, dismissing Samantha Rowe with the second ball of the match. It was all Hillcrest from that point with wickets tumbling regularly. An amazing finish to Palmerston North’s innings saw Heidi Arndt pick up a double hat-trick. It was an athletic close in catch that secured the hat-trick and then Ardnt got a wicket with the first ball of her next over to wrap up the innings.

Although only chasing 23 to win, Hillcrest made hard work of it with some reckless running between the wickets. Two brilliant direct hits by Hannah Rowe and Jane Barnett meant Palmerston North picked up four scalps before Hillcrest knocked off the total in the eighth over.

Wanganui Collegiate batted first against St Kentigern College and after losing two quick wickets, Georgie Blackwood and Pippa Norman looked comfortable at the wicket. They did brilliantly for their team, compiling a well-constructed partnership of 68. Wanganui Collegiate ended the innings on 105 for three.

In reply Charlotte Haggas struck early, dismissing Juliet Bilkey in her second over.This brought Christina Oscar to the crease, who along with opener Francesca Wilkinson turned over the strike well and put on 41 for the second wicket.Wilkinson batted well for her 47, while Haggas had a great game with the ball. She finished with figures of five for 13, ensuring Wanganui Collegiate finished the tournament on a high.

St Mary’s got off to a shaky start losing their first wicket without scoring. Rosemary Cockle and Silia Setefano then consolidated with a useful partnership of 43 before Westlake took a number wickets to slow St Mary’s scoring, managing to restrict them to 71 for seven off 20 overs.

Westlake made a steady start to their run chase but another fine bowling display by St Mary’s bowlers keep the pressure on. The bowling attack was backed up by great pressure in the field with Westlake struggling eventually falling six runs short.